May Day Celebration, Workers Should be Ready to Face AEC

Jakarta, InfoPublik – The celebration of the International Labor Day, also known as May Day in Indonesia is again marked by rallies in the streets of major cities in the country. Currently there are no activities to increase workers’ capacity such as education and training, competition, or productivity development in celebrating the event.

"In the future it is expected that May Day celebration is no longer conducted through street rallies. Indonesian workers should be able to demonstrate their productivity, skill and competence," said Jakarta Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) Vice Chairman Sarman Simanjorang, Sunday (5/1).

Sarman explained that this year’s May Day occured when Indonesia has entered the Asean Economic Community (AEC), where employment challenge becomes tougher. With AEC, the flow of labor from various ASEAN countries to the country is inevitable.

"Although the early stage of AEC is targetted only for professional workers, in the future, unlimited flow of labor should be anticipated," he said.

Sarman pointed out several projects in Indonesia which employed Chinese labor. Indonesian workers shall be aware of the fact and use it as a motivation to increase their productivity.

Kadin expected that this year’s May Day can become a momentum to strengthen the industrial relations between workers and employers. It is very important that we have common awareness that the future employment challenges can be faced together by workers and employers.

"It's time to go hand in hand, it's time to make a common perception, increase our skill, competence and productivity, towards competitive labor who become king in their own country," said Sarman. (Translator: Penni Patmawati Rusman)